Louise Norman Hansen talks ups and downs of 2018

December 14th, 2018

Team VIRTU Cycling Women still have a number of younger riders who are in the process of developing. 23-year-old Dane, Louise Norman Hansen, is one of them and here, she looks back in the season that has passed.

What has been the sporting highlight of the season?

“I want to highlight the TTT World Championship as the sporting highlight. It was my first World Championships, and having the experience with my teammates is huge. We fought like a team. Well, we had hoped for a better result but for me, it’s more significant that everyone gave their very best and sacrificed for the team”.

Did you meet your own sporting expectations?

“Not quite. I’ve done a lot of races and have earned a lot of good experiences so far but I had a lack results. Especially in the road races, which I have focused on a lot. I can only conclude that it takes time and hard work to be able to be amongst the world’s elite in women’s cycling”.

What has been the greatest experience?

“There have been so many experiences and I’m so happy when I think about them all. I really enjoyed being able to try out some of the great cycling events on the calendar, such as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Amstel Gold Race and Liége-Bastogne-Liege. The atmosphere and all the spectators in these races are amazing”.

What has been the biggest disappointment?

“Clearly the national time trial event. With a bronze in 2017 and a focus throughout the spring just on this day, it was a huge disappointment not to be near the podium this year. It was a blow on my self-esteem but I just have to get back on the horse again.”

What are you doing in your off-season?

“I really try to do as little as possible and see family and friends, which is not always easy to pull off in the season. I love to sleep, so I have enough time to get some solid sack-time . My batteries must be fully charged, so I can start the preparations for the 2019 season with full gas”.

How much and how do you train up to the next season from now?

“After the World Championships I had 2 weeks off training. I started weight training as the first after my break, which is a part of my daily training routine right up to the spring. Bike training was minimal in October, but gradually increases with intervals and hours in the months to follow. And I do not mind sneaking in a training camp or two in warm surroundings during the dark and cold winter in Denmark”.